Noteworthy

Published: February 4, 2010

• Reader Comments (1)
• Printer-friendly version

The art of Stanley Murphy

"Sketch with Cap," a self-portrait by Stanley Murphy, will be on display at the MVM.

The Martha's Vineyard Museum (MVM) features a new art exhibit of the work of the late Stanley Murphy. The exhibit opens with a reception at MVM in Edgartown on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 3 to 5 pm. Selections of Mr. Murphy's sketches and studies were recently donated by the Murphy family. The show will feature some sketchbooks, grid studies in pencil, pen, and watercolor, anatomical studies, and self-portraits. Admission is free for members, or $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, or $4 for children. For more information, call 508-627-4441.

The Martha's Vineyard Museum (MVM) features a new art exhibit by the late Stanley Murphy. The exhibit opens with a reception at MVM in Edgartown on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 3 to 5 pm. Selections of Mr. Murphy's sketches and studies were recently donated by the Murphy family. The show will feature some sketchbooks, grid studies in pencil, pen, and watercolor, anatomical studies and self-portraits. Admission is free for members, or $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, or $4 for children. For more information, call 508-627-4441.

Senior Tessa Permar, one of more than a dozen students who performed last Friday evening. Photos by Danielle Zerbonne. Click on photo to enlarge

MVRHS for Haiti

Martha's Vineyard Regional High School students got together Friday evening for a benefit organized by students to raise money for the Red Cross, World Food Programme, and World Vision, on behalf of Haiti. Approximately $3,000 was raised at the event, which was organized by students Patrick Hart, Phoebe Kelleher, and Eva Faber.

With donations from Island businesses such as Cash and Carry, Tilton Rentals, and Jim's Package store, the students hosted a potluck dinner with live performances in the space above Danny Quinn's, which was donated by Mike and Mark Wallace for the event.

High school seniors Patrick Hart and Phoebe Kelleher and sophomore Eva Faber (left to right) organized the MVRHS for Haiti event. Click on photo to enlarge

Students dance to "Barracuda," sung by seniors Katie Mayhew and Maggie Howard. Click on photo to enlarge

Fourth-graders on stage

Fourth-graders from the Tisbury and West Tisbury schools will take the stage in the next couple weeks at the Vineyard Playhouse to continue the annual Fourth Grade Theater Project. Tisbury thespians will perform "Calculated Risk" and "Tornado Fourth Grade-O!" next Saturday, Feb. 6. The following Saturday, Feb. 13, actors from West Tisbury will perform "Digging For Clues" and "A Map For Freedom."

The Fourth Grade Theater Project is an 11-week joint educational collaboration between the Vineyard Playhouse and all Island schools. During the project, fourth-graders invent all the characters, settings, and plots for their plays, and they are then scripted by co-directors MJ Bruder Munafo and Kate Hancock.

The performances will be at 2 and 7 pm for both Saturdays at the Vineyard Playhouse in Vineyard Haven. Tickets: $6 for adults and $4 for children at the door. For more information, call 508-696-6300, or visit vineyardplayhouse.org.

Big Chili Contest gets bigger

Chris Hargy, left, and Andrew Kelly man the Edgartown Fire Department's booth during the annual Big Chili Contest on Saturday. Click on photo to enlarge. Photos by Ralph Stewart

Saturday's 24th annual Big Chili Contest, a major fundraising event for the Red Stocking Fund, was "bigger and better than ever this year," according to co-chairman Kerry Alley. Held at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs, a bigger tent this year led to more ticket sales. Mr. Alley estimated that more than 1,500 celebrants attended, many from off-Island.

"I collected tickets at one door, and I bet I didn't know 30 people," said Mr. Alley. "It's become almost like a cult for people on the Cape."

The Black Dog won the professional contest, Quahog Republic placed second, and West Falmouth Market was third.

Michael Jacobs, left, and Brian Athearn dole out Potent Pirate Chili. Click on photo to enlarge.

Saltwater Restaurant's team included Anthony Preston, Charles Ince, and Sam Dunn. Click on photo to enlarge.

MVRHS rehearses "Rent"

Choreographer Lianna Loughman led the cast of "Rent" through rehearsals on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Click on photo to enlarge.

The regional high school drama department will present the musical, "Rent: School Edition," Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 11-13, at the performing arts center. Show times are Thursday and Friday at 7 pm and two shows on Saturday at 1 and 7 pm. Tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. "Rent" was written by Jonathan Larson and tells the story of a community of artists who learn to live and survive during the height of the AIDS crisis in New York City. The musical is directed by theater department director Kate Murray.

Biography night: A long tradition

Well-read sixth-grade students impressed an audience of parents and friends as they took on the roles of characters from the past at the annual sixth grade Biography Night at the Tisbury School on January 17.

In the school library, the students presented the fruit of their research into the characters they have been studying. They were each asked questions by language arts teacher Janet Stiller, and then had to answer according to which role they took on.

The students immersed themselves even more by looking the part and dressing up in costumes that included wigs, beards, wool coats, and jewelry. Figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Rosa Parks, Benjamin Franklin, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Roald Dahl, and Helen Keller were played.

From left: Elissa Decosta as Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Eddie Rosado as Alexander the Great, and Aidee Espino as Ella Fitzgerald, each dressed to fit the part. Click on photo to enlarge. Photos by Pat Ryan

From left: Jordan Barbosa as Paul Revere, Amber Willoughby as Anne Frank, Evan Kristal as Lou Gehrig, and Alison Daigle as Roald Dahl at the annual sixth grade Biography Night. Click on photo to enlarge.

The puck starts here

The annual mid-winter fundraiser for the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School boys hockey teams took place Friday night, January 29, at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown. Bill Davies was the lucky winner of the raffle for a 40-inch TV. A signed photograph of the USA 1980 Olympic team, which won the gold medal, went for $1,100 in the live auction.

Martha's Vineyard Regional High School hockey player Darren Gazaille draws the winning raffle ticket at the hockey fundraiser on Friday night. Behind him (from left) are teammates Kevin Galligan, Colby Gouldrup, Bobby Perry, Tyler Araujo, Daniel Serusa, Charles Goldthwait, and Max Davies. Click on photo to enlarge. Photos by Ralph Stewart

Meredith Goldthwait displays an autographed Tim Thomas Bruins jersey, next to the big auction item: a signed photograph of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Click on photo to enlarge.

Free soup lunch

The United Methodist Church is hosting a free community soup lunch at the Stone Church in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 11 am to 12 noon. For more information, call 508-693-4424.

Ecumenical Lenten workshop on Centering Prayer

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Parish are co-hosting a seven-week Centering Prayer workshop open to Islanders of all denominations.

The first session is Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 am to 2:30 pm, at the Good Shepherd Parish Center in Oak Bluffs. The dates and times for six additional weekly sessions will be based on the participants' schedules. The workshop includes DVDs, discussion, and periods of prayer.

"Centering prayer is an effort to renew the ancient Christian tradition of contemplation, which is an opening of mind and heart to God, the ultimate mystery," explained Father Vincent "Chip" Gerald Seadale, rector of St. Andrew's Church in Edgartown, in a press release. "Centering prayer brings a method and order to facilitate access to contemplation."

"Our program coincides with Lent, a season when people are looking to grow in their relationship with God," Good Shepherd Parish Priest Father Michael Nagle added. "I am excited that this is an ecumenical endeavor, sponsored by two Christian churches but open to all."

To register, call 508-627-5330.

Valentine tea

All-Island church women are invited to Valentine tea and sandwiches at the Federated Church parish hall in Edgartown next Thursday, Feb. 11. The program includes music performed by pianist Phil Dietterich, Jan Hyer on cello, and Matt Pelikan on recorder. The free event begins at 1:30 pm.

Windemere seeks volunteers

Starting with the new year, Windemere is now offering a new conversation group called Chime Choir, more pet therapists, and a weekly program of Native American flute music for its residents. But they are also seeking volunteers and any suggestions for more activities. The recreation department seeks someone to facilitate bridge and knitting groups, and someone to help gather residents for Lisa Amols's exercise group on Saturday morning. If you are interested or want more information, call 508-696-6465, ext. 722.

One step ahead

It's time to start thinking about the 2010 American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Martha's Vineyard. If you already have a team or want one, attend the meeting on Saturday, Feb. 11, to learn more about the event. Team Captain kits will be available to start fundraising. The meeting is at the Martha's Vineyard Rod and Gun Club in Edgartown. The MV Relay For Life is June 4 and 5. For more information, call 508-560-0457, or visit relayforlife.org.